Week 5 scouting report: Tennessee

game 5

VIKINGS

VS. TENNESSEE

3:25 p.m. Sunday

Mall of America Field

at Metrodome

TV: Ch. 4 (100.3-FM, 1130-AM)

Line: Vikings by 5 1/2

ABOUT TENNESSEE

RECORD: 1-3

 The Titans are 31st in the NFL in defense, allowing a league-high 151 points. At this pace the Titans would set the NFL record (currently 533 by the 1981 Colts). Tennessee has only four quarterback sacks and one interception.

 Poor defense, coupled with a turnover-prone offense has resulted in the Titans being way behind early - outscored 41-13 in the first quarter of games - which is the major reason Chris Johnson and the running game have been inconsistent. But Johnson is coming off a 141-yard game in a loss to the Texans.

 Rookie receiver Kendall Wright, the 20th overall pick out of Baylor, leads the team with 18 receptions. He has 148 receiving yards and two touchdowns.

PLAYER TALK tennessee guard steve hutchinson

Hutchinson, who played the past six seasons with the Vikings, returns to Minnesota with the Titans. The 34-year-old has started all four games at left guard for Tennessee.

 Hutchinson said early deficits have taken away the Titans' ability to run the ball, but the rushing attack began to hit its stride last week. "We wanted to come out and be balanced from the get-go," he said. "For the first half, we were running the ball well. For whatever reason it sparked, and we're glad it did."

COACH SPEAK mike munchak

 On Johnson, who ran for 2,006 yards in 2009 but only l1,047 last season: "We still feel he's a back who can get that 1,300 to 1,500 yards. That's where he should be."

 On his defense: "We have to tackle better. That's probably where it starts. I mean, we stopped the run pretty well last week [allowing Houston 95 yards]. We're allowing some yards after the catch we shouldn't. And we're giving the ball up [on offense], but not getting it back. Were a minus-6. That's a huge factor for us sitting here 1-3. That's something we can clean up as a team."